History of the Savage Model 99

[PALADIN85020]

Do you know if the Savage 99 had the sort of extraction issues that the Winchester 95 is supposed to have? That's allegedly one of the things which doomed it as anything but an emergency substitute military rifle (eg. the Russian 7.62x54mmR guns).

No extraction issues as far as I know. As I mentioned, Arthur Savage designed the 99 to cock on closing to keep extraction resistance to a minimum. The Model 99 can be operated very rapidly for this reason.

John

 

[shouldazagged]

I've wanted one for many years. A .243 or .30-30 would be nice, but I wish they had made them in .257 Roberts or 7X57.

 

[Texas Star]

>t was one of only two lever actions that could accommodate spitzer (pointed) bullets<

When you say, "WAS", are you referring to "back in 1899", only?

'Cause the Winchester 95, the Savage 99, the Winchester 88 and the Browning BLR are all lever guns that will take spitzers, and that adds up to more than two.

You forgot the short lived Sako Finnwolf. I think it was inspired by the Win. 88.

 

[gregintenn]

Here's one in particular that I'm quite proud of. My father had bought it a while back and restocked it. Much to my surprise, he gave it to me for a birthday present last year.

Although it's nearing a hundred year old, I learned that it still works as well as ever.
tiger_zpsc210ad7d.png Photo by gregintenn | Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt209/gregintenn/tiger_zpsc210ad7d.p@@AMEPARAM@@612.photobucket.com/albums/tt209/gregintenn/tiger_zpsc210ad7d.p
According to this gentleman, the 22 high power makes a great tiger rifle.

I am not aware of another rifle that could easily be mistaken for a 99 Savage. That, and the fact they were available in so many different configurations and calibers makes them interesting to me.

 

[4506517]

I have a Model 99 in .300 Savage. My father bought it brand new in the early 50s. One of my most treasured guns.

 

[Harrison]

Very good article. I have a beautiful (to me anyway) Mdl 99 made in 1949, 24" barrel, in 250 Savage. It is very accurate for the first 3-4 rounds and starts stringing after the barrel warms up. I have taken a good number of deer with it. The rifle balances and handles like a dream. In my opinion, the 99 is far superior to your Mdl 94s and Mdl 336s.

 

[jimmyj]

In the era of 1955 my best friend's Father gave Him the Fathers hunting weapons. 1. Stevens 12ga DBL with exposed hammers, a Winchester M12 20ga, and a Savage M99 30/30 with the steel curved butt plate. The Savage was one, if not the most wicked recoiling rifle I have ever shot. In 1962 I traded into a Savage M99 .308 rifle. Great shooting rifle.

 

[jinx]

What a great history lesson. Always enjoy your posts.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

My dad's favorite rifle was his pre 64 Winchester Model 88 in .284 Winchester. Kind of like a short action .270 (.280, actually). I own it now but I still like the Savages much better.

 

[Art Doc]

Maybe picking nits but I would not compare it to the 06 if it's much closer to the 308.

 

[rock doc]

Here's a great web site for Savage literature:

Savage 1895, 1899, and 99

and some useful links to features.

 

[Cyrano]

It also will have a chance to be included in a possible book on classic firearms - that's still in the formulative stage.

John

Hallelula!! A compilation of your articles on classic firearms? Mark me down for a copy.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Maybe picking nits but I would not compare it to the 06 if it's much closer to the 308.

You are right, of course, but at the time the .300 Savage was born (1921) the .308 did not exist, and comparisons at the time were all with the well-known .30-06. That's the historical time niche I'm trying to re-create here. Point taken, though.

John

 

[nsl]

I bought a nice 99f 308 three weeks ago at Gander Mt of all places for $500 + tax. I was shocked they didn't have it marked much higher as GM is always very high on their stuff.

Now I want one in 30-30. The other cartridges are to hard to find and expensive, hince why I bought a 308 and want the 30-30.

 

[alwslate]

Great article John. I have one 99 that dates to 1941. It's an EG model
like the one you pictured in .300 Savage. I think the comparisons of
the .300 ballistics to the 30-06 were based on factory specs of the
.300 in long barrels like the 24" EGs and the early 30-06 loads like
the military 150 gr FMJ issue. The standard 150 gr load as used in
the M1 will not even reach 2700 fps in most guns and so the 150 gr
.300 Savage ammo was quite close to the mild military round.

 

[gregintenn]

I bought a nice 99f 308 three weeks ago at Gander Mt of all places for $500 + tax. I was shocked they didn't have it marked much higher as GM is always very high on their stuff.

Now I want one in 30-30. The other cartridges are to hard to find and expensive, hince why I bought a 308 and want the 30-30.

300 Savage is still commonly found. Our local Academy Sports stocks it.
22hp, 250-3000, and 303 Savage is less commonly found, but is still loaded and sold by commercial manufacturers.

 

[bigolddave]

I hate to add one more nit pick, but there were actually something less than a million 99's produced. The serial numbers go over one million, but there are significant gaps in the serial number sequence.

I have had an interest in 99's for many years, but just started collecting them about six years ago. The quality and variety of models make for a very interesting collection. I have an 1895, and nine others, including a 250/3000 that was delivered to the corporate secretary at the time, and a T in 30/30, that is very hard to find.

 

[Faulkner]

Interestingly, before reading this article I had never given a Savage 99 a second look. Just so happens, though, I was in Vicksburg, Mississippi, this week and went on a tour of the Warren County Courthouse museum. Very interesting place by the way.

Anyway, in one of the display cases I noticed the Savage 99 pictured below that was a gift from Theodore Roosevelt. I snapped a picture of it and the notice beside it.

 

[L Pete]

Maybe picking nits but I would not compare it to the 06 if it's much closer to the 308.

There was no .308 at the time of the 300 Savage introduction...there weren't a lot of cartridges around then that we have now. I don't know why you fellers are picking on the 300 Savage, when all you have to do is think "Context, ......Context". It's not about now, it's about then...........

 

[mtgianni]

Great article. I have wanted to read more on Arthur Savages life since I read a chapter out of something called "histories of the gunmakers"? Would you mind sharing sources on his life or is there a book written you are aware of?

 

[PALADIN85020]

Great article. I have wanted to read more on Arthur Savages life since I read a chapter out of something called "histories of the gunmakers"? Would you mind sharing sources on his life or is there a book written you are aware of?

One of the best summations of Arthur Savage's life that I have in my library is found in Bailey Brower Jr.'s book "Savage Pistols," pages 1-10. Some of the early years of the Model 99 are touched on there, also. Hope this helps.

John

 

[PALADIN85020]

I hate to add one more nit pick, but there were actually something less than a million 99's produced. The serial numbers go over one million, but there are significant gaps in the serial number sequence.

Interesting. I'm not aware of a reference on that - can you provide it? Savage itself produced a specially made 99 as the one millionth rifle in 1960 and presented it to the NRA.

The one millionth Savage Model 99 lever action rifle - Curators Corner - YouTube

Seeing as how the 99 was produced for thirty-plus years after 1960, I strongly suspect the grand total was, in fact, well over a million. Again, I'd like to see a reference on what you have stated.

John

 

[Muddyboot]

Here is mine with an old Weaver K 2.5 Post scope...the optics are still in great condition, so I never did an upgrade.
I found this one in a local GS, serial number dates it to 1947..

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Wow, Arthur William Savage was one enterprising individual. A true visionary, he never let a little hard work get in the way of thinking of ways to make money. He tried a little bit of everything, either hands on, applying his imagination, using his mind, and as a businessman. Sorry to see such a full and rewarding life came to such an unhappy end.

Thanks for the excellent article. Well written, informative, and as a result I have learned something new today.

 

[Gene L]

Here are mine, both in .300 Savage. One of them was made in 1941, the othe in 1950. I traded for both of them from two brothers at different times because they're in good shape and I'd always wanted a 99. I put the tang sights; both had previously had scopes, but not when I got them. A little BLO.

 

[Drm50]

Good write up. The Savage 99 is one of those rifles guys either love or hate. Many have no experience with them. I went out of business in 91-92 and Savage was going down the tubes all through 80s. I took a lot of 99s on trade, most 300s. Living near Ohio/WVa/ Pa state line lots of guys were hunting out of state and 99 was legal in both WVa & Pa. During this period the 99s were fairly cheap they hadn't got a big collector market yet. The older spool mag models were a hard sell. The newer guns with clip mags and HV calibers were a lot more popular. The 22Sav Hi-power and 303 Sav
nobody wanted because of ammo situation. The 303sav was second place for numbers in my area. I only have one at present, a 1950 EG in 250 Sav.
I wish I had all the 99s that sat in the used rack that I sent to auction because they weren't selling. Now Savage 99s are bringing $700+ for decent condition shooters. The same thing has happened to JM Marlins another milled parts rifle that can't be produced at a profit.

 

[Tadeus67]

Mine is a takedown model in 250/3000. From 1926. Still works like a dream

 

[Mr.Harry]

I was so thrilled to get my hands on one these a couple years ago, a year or two after having discovered them and their history. One of the few guns that causes me to inhale deeply from the nose,
involuntarily and in reverence, when I take it out for use. Gives me goosebumps. A '66 DL in .308 and remarkably high condition. Factory drilled and tapped and sling studded so all the holes and optics on it were put there at purchase - Weaver tip-off mounts, Leupold M8 4x. Zero bluing loss. Like it came out of a time warp, for a hunting gun. All the more desireable features minus the checkering which is pressed. Ah well. IF Q/C was dropping at the time, this one doesn't show it anywhere and the accuracy leaves nothing to be desired after finding the right load. Good write up and good read. Thanks.

 

[crsides]

John, late to the game but in your caliber listing you have he 250-3000 and the 250 Savage, which is the same round. Ive seen the 250-3000 marked on rifles, but not the 250 savage. Don't mean they didn't make/mark them in 250 Savage. Ammo makers used the 250 savage name in later years. Also, the 99 was made sparingly in 22-250.

 

[Mr.Harry]

Something else worth knowing and possibly mentioning is the fact that a post mil, Tang safety model, can have its trigger improved far more readily than the lever-safety design. But you'd need to get the full mechanical explanation of why this is so from a qualified gunsmith and not myself.